This Friday the original gang will be back in the saddle when the Haunt Trinity hits the road to experience a triple threat of terror. First, we return to Pontiac to conquer world famous Erebus and the Realm of Darkness. We last visited each of these during the 2010 season; both locations have provided us with many fond memories over the years including instant classics on Halloween Night 2006 and 2008. Each has earned Haunt of the Year distinction — Erebus did it in 2006, Realm of Darkness took the top prize the following year in 2007. These are two very different haunted attractions and each execute their particular blend of haunting very well. It will be interesting to see how each has changed since our last visit and just what is in store for haunters at Realm of Darkness’ new second attraction, CarnEvil 3D.

Once we have survived Pontiac’s twin terrors we’ll make the short drive to Utica where we’ll witness what’s sure to be another knockout effort from the excellent team at Sinister. Last season Sinister was nearly flawless and beat out a couple of very worthy competitors to be named Haunt of the Year. It was by no accident that Sinister blew us away either, remember this was produced by many of the same wonderful weirdos who put on one of the best haunted displays we’ve ever witnessed — I speak, of course, of Haunted Hollows in Armada circa 2009. It should come as no surprise that this twisted gang snatched the Haunt of the Year Award that year as well.

2013 SCHEDULE

I continue to tinker with the haunt schedule but with so many exciting new prospects and the unknown status of some locations it’s been difficult to nail down definitive dates and times. Listed below are a few possible trips, which as of now are in no particular order. All attractions are located in Michigan unless otherwise noted.

I’m open to suggestions for any of these nights and there’s various other places I’d like to visit as well. I’d be happy to return to the Haunted Hydro (Fremont, Ohio) this year but I’m unaware of a second haunt that we could hit that night. Usually I’d suggest Terror Town but I think I’m a bit burnt out on it after five consecutive years of visiting.

I also have interest in Dimensions of Darkness (Maumee, Ohio) which John and I experienced for the first time last year on Halloween. It had a very cool old school approach and put us in mind of the treasured Extreme Scream. However, I’ve yet to read whether or not it will be operating this season.

Finally, there is the decision to be made regarding an overnight trip. John and I have discussed the possibility of renting a room near Flint and carving up the local haunt scene. On the other hand I’ve been itching to see the Dent Schoolhouse (Cincinnati, Ohio) for a couple of years now; my fellow haunters and I will undoubtedly have a tough decision on our hands.

This schedule is not finalized by any means, think of it more as a shifting blueprint of the season. The status of a few prominent haunts remain unknown, most namely Demonic Demons in Detroit and Extreme Scream which ran last year in Waterford. Situations such as this can always alter our haunt destinations as can a slew of other obstacles, but here she is so plan accordingly if you’d like to venture with the Haunt Trinity.

Several of these dates fall on Thursdays and that is because I have made special considerations for some long time haunters. I still plan to hit some haunts on the weekend of those same weeks, any interested haunters are welcome to join me.

Well my haunt brothers and sisters, it is that time of year again. The kiddies have gone back to school, the air has adopted a crisper quality, and the leaves will soon burst into full radiance for this wonderful season of magic, fright, and laughter. Here I ponder the memories we’ve made and yearn for those yet to pass as I craft the blueprint for this latest season of screams.

The haunt season will officially kick off tomorrow evening when myself, the Disco Devil, and possibly others pay a visit to the formidable Scream Machine — a perennial stalwart of the Downriver haunt scene located in Taylor, Michigan. And if weather permits we’ll make our way to South Rockwood where we’ll enjoy the dark stylings of the Woods of Darkness. Oh October, how you roll in with such atmosphere and presence. Let us consider then shall we the haunted possibilities for the Haunt Trinity and friends this October 2011.

Jason and Disco have both expressed an interest in another overnight haunting experience. Last year we traveled to Columbus, Ohio where we soaked in the wild and outlandish show at Dead Acres: Haunted Hoochie as well as the farm fresh fear of The Haunted Farm. This year two trips vie for our haunt bucks but only one can be chosen. 7 Floors of Hell near Cleveland and The Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory in Akron both have been ranked by various industry publications as top haunts in America. However the Land of Illusion in Middletown, Ohio and the Dent Schoolhouse in Cincinnati have drawn similar praise. It’s hard to say at this time which of these two trips we’ll choose but I can say with confidence that when all is recorded to time it will have been one hell of a journey.

A bit closer to home a litany of first time visits loom on the fog swept horizon. In Chelsea horror has returned to the fairgrounds where Pigman’s Lair once resided. This year it will host a show most promising entitled Chelsea Feargrounds. I’ve thoroughly checked out the website and this one sounds Grade A. Here they have exploding zombie heads that reportedly shower guests with blood and guts, no joke. I’m sold. Not far from here in either direction lies The Boneyard in Stockbridge featuring three tantalizing attractions — Deadwood Forest, Scarecrow Hollow, and Tent of Terror — and in Saline, Krazy Hilda’s Barn of Doom which taunts haunters from the pages of the Fear Finder with the phrase, “Be there if you dare…my pretty.” Oh, how we dare Hilda!

Even closer to home there is of course the latest offering from the Wyandotte Jaycess — Lockdown. This year the community group has secured what looks to be a derelict bar just down the street from our old apartment on Ford Avenue. There’s also 2008 Dark Horse Award Winner Realm of Haunted Minds in Romulus, the temptingly obscure Psycho Path in Flat Rock, and a slew of others including Apple Charlie’s Barn of Blood and the Lincoln Park classic Anxiety Alley.

Rounding out the haunt season will be a mix of fresh locations and old crypts. The Deadland has come to Warren, in Deadly Intentions old stomping grounds to be precise, a great companion it shall make with Demonic Demons in Detroit for a night of hardcore haunting. If that isn’t enough of a treat for you then venture with us on our long awaited return to Adrian’s The Haunting, in addition experience the Haunt Trinity’s first look at Darksyde Acres in Jonesville. Also not to be forgotten is Blake’s in Armada and perhaps a return to the fabled monster in Pontiac known simply as Erebus.

There is no denying that a number of favorites will fall to the wayside this season — Realm of Darkness, Terror Town, and the Haunted Hydro to name a few — but the new blood refuses to be ignored. Stay tuned to Horrorlust for additional information while the season unfolds. As always my fellow haunt fiends, your thoughts and suggestions are encouraged and welcome.